What to look for in a Model 327 TRR8

[Odessaman]

I'm going to be meeting a fellow to look at his NIB 327 TRR8 on a possible trade. I wasn't really looking for one of these, but he's offered it in trade and after a little research, I must say I'm intrigued.

He says it's never been fired, comes with the case and a cardboard sleeve, upper and lower rails and two or three moonclips. Did all of these originally ship in the aluminum Performance Center cases? Did they come from the factory with anything else? Other than the usual external and mechanical inspection, anything to look for in these? Any production runs that had issues? I've only ever owned steel N-Frames.

Thanks.

 

[gto364cid]

It should come in a PC case. Check if it has all the needed screws and if the moonclips are new. Otherwise, should be a standard check. This is a great model, btw.

 

[Odessaman]

Thanks - I took a look at it today, and it's a nice revolver, but I passed. It was in the PC case, had all the factory paperwork, fired case and bag of three moonclips. Also had the cap screws to fill the rail holes. And, as the owner said, it was unfired. The deal killer for me was that it was a "two-tone" gun. While the base finish was matte black (which is what all the pictures I found showed), the trigger, hammer and cylinder latch were matte stainless, and the barrel flats were polished bright. I didn't know S&W offered this color scheme, so I didn't even think to ask him before I went to see it - and I'm not putting anyone down who bought one, but it just didn't do anything for me.